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Note: Military Service: CSA Memorial Monument - Oak Hill Cemetery, Talladega, Alabama
Erected 1893 by the "Ladies Memorial Association"
The soldiers, who names are inscribed on this monument are buried in many cemeteries including Oak Hill, Talladega. These names do not represent a complete listing of soldiers from Talladega County. The Section C (SW Corner) of Oak Hill contains sixty-four Unknown Confederate Soldiers' graves.
South Side of Monument:
Gen. Stonewall Jackson
Top Row:
Sims, Albert G., 1 Lt., Co. F, 30., Ala., 1844-1910
This Date In Alabama History
Apr 6, 1934
By W. J. Boles
Albert Gallatin Sims, a distinguished physician was born at Mardisville, Talladega County, April 6, 1844, of parents who came to that country from Virginia in 1837. He attended the public schools and that University of Alabama, the latter in 1862-62 going from there to the army.
He enlisted in Company F Thirteenth Alabama Infantry in 1863 and while his regiment was at Atlanta was commissioned first lieutenant. He was in all the battles from Missionary Ridge to Atlanta and at Jonesboro, Nashville, Kingston, Bentonville, commanding his company inn the latter battle in the absence of Capt. Webb, who was on detached duty.
After the war he took the medical course at the University of Nashville, graduating in 1869, and immediately began the practice of his profession at Renfroe, Talladega County.
He served as township school trustee, senior counsellor of the Alabama Medical Association and was president of the Talladega County Medical Association.
He was a member of the Royal Arch Mason, Knights of Honor and Knights of Pythias.
November 12, 1873, he and Kate Fannie Allen were married and to them were born five sons and four daughters.
Quote from "Knowing Early Talladega County Families; Dr. A. G. Sims". During the civil war; "Being Albert at that time a very slender young man, the solders in his company used to say that if he were set up edgewise toward the enemy, the enemy might as well try to hit the edge of a sheet of paper."
Family Home and Cemetery:
Albert and Kate lived in a home located not far from the family home until their son, James Anthony, was 2. (This first home was located on the land currently owned by Mrs. Faye Sherman Sims, Renfroe. The original home was located not far from the current home but has been torn down. Certain lumber that was in the original home was incorporated into the home Jimmy and Faye Sims built. Faye told me yesterday, that when Albert and his family lived there that Kate (Miss Kate) was terrified of Indians. Whenever Dr. Sims left for any extended period of time she would hide in the ravine. The first home was nestled in breathtaking valley surrounded by mountains.) When James Anthony Sr was 2, Dr. Sims and Kate the moved the family into the home that remains today known as the "old Sims place".
Albert built is family home on a Mountain ridge off of Renfroe Tower Road. Road to home was located directly behind current brick home (on your left when you turn onto Renfroe Tower Road). Directions today are: Turn onto Renfroe Tower Road. Brick home located on your left. Road to old "Sims" place located on your left directly behind the current brick home. This property, and road, are owned now by a Mr. Hubbard. The road to the old "Sim's" home, at this time (2002) is blocked.
The old road leading to the home required a bridge to span the rail road tracks. Home was turned into boarding home, primarily for teachers, during the early 1900's
Miriam Dark met her future husband, Winford Hugh Sims, son of Herbert Lee Sims and Maggie Henley Sims (Herbert was son of Henry Sims and Lizzie Cruickshank, Albert was son of same Henry Sims and first wife, Martha Louise ) while they boarded at the home. The last known resident of the home was Albert and Kate's son (Albert was the first son of the union of Henry Sims and Martha Louise), Henry Porter, a single individual, who was an engineer for the Birmingham Atlanta Railroad. Henry died in 1957 and the home remained empty until it burned.
Miriam Dark Sims remembered the home well and described it to me in April, 2002. She said that the 1st floor contained a living room and dining room and large fireplace. She said the kitchen was located at the back of the house. There was a separate milk house located behind the home. A circular drive ran from the front of the home to the back to a covered portico located between the home and the milk house. There were pecan trees and the home site has a breath taking South/Southwest view of the Sleeping Giant mountain that surrounded the home. She believed that "Mr. Henry" (Henry Porter Sims) bedroom was on the first floor. Their were bedrooms on the second floor and this is where she lived, with her roommate from Alexander City, when she was boarding there. Her future husband, Hugh Sims, also boarded on the second floor. Mrs. Billie Sims Giles also described the home to me in October, 2002. She said that Mr. Henry had an office and bedroom on the back of the house. Her other descriptions were similar to those of Miriam. Billie also noted there was another home located close to the Sims home.
Albert Gallatin Sims and most of his family are buried in the family cemetery located in the pecan grove below the home site. The cemetery is called Allen Sims Cemetery Location: Leave Talladega on Renfroe Road (203 West). Travel approximately 3 miles from Courthouse Square. When road forks, bear right onto 191, Renfroe Road. Pass Concord Church, take 288 to left. Travel .25 miles to dirt road on left (after pecan grove). Cemetery is approximately 100 yards up the dirt road on the right. All tombstones were located and photographed by Lisa Allen Baggett 3/5/2002.
Will probated in Talladega county, August 24, 1910. (Page 155) Living heirs are: son Marion H. Sims, Henry P. Sims (over 21,reside Talladega), James A. Sims and Claud B. Sims (over 21, reside Renfroe)
Albert G. Sims, Jr. (over 21, reside Vincent, Shelby Co., AL), daughter Mrs. Marvin Adams (over 21 living with husband Marvin R. Adams at Talladega), Katherine Sims Margaret Sims (daughters, over 21, living Renfroe) daughters Ruth Lee Sims (minor over age 14, living with mother, Mrs. Kate A. Sims, Renfroe). Will gives all of the estate, real and personal, to Mrs. Kate A. Sims. Marion H. and Henry P. Sims were named executors.
Lisa Allen Baggett March 2003
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